Notre Dame football is in the middle of spring practice and as everyone knows the media are not allowed access to the workouts due to the Covid pandemic. However, fret not. The school has done us all a favor and released some videos for consumption for everyone to enjoy.

Have you been enjoying the videos as your only glimpse into the inner workings of Irish football this spring? You may have read elsewhere breakdowns of the plays made available going into intricate detail trying to explain everything that is happening in the short snippets us mortals are allowed to witness.

Nothing against that work, it’s tremendous. Instead, today we want to give you the deepest insight into the action we’ve seen thus far including things that get overlooked and that are missed by the media.

#1 Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Tight end coach John McNulty was hired over a year ago but this is his first full spring practice with the team. In the more casual atmosphere of spring he’s really been able to open up and show his personality. Here he is chatting with running backs coach Lance Taylor:

The discussion here was really interesting. McNulty is talking about his predecessor Chip Long who worked with the tight ends as well as being the offensive coordinator. He’s highlighting how the coaching room was so toxic with Long and how he was hired because so many times the staff would butt heads with each other. Where else can you get this raw access?

#2 Flawless Cinematography

Other schools may decide for a higher vantage point for their highlight packages. Notre Dame chooses to dispense with that poppycock and provide us with a more intimate experience. If you want to get close to the action, this is the place for you. I can practically smell the turf.

In this picture, a corner breaks up a pass on a deep pass just inside the end zone. How do we know it’s a corner? With the ball not even settled on the ground the arms are already swaying in that classic motion of ‘no catch’ unmistakably a corner for sure. There’s no surer sign of a corner in the game of football.

#3 Running Back Issues

Rising sophomore running back Chris Tyree has shown a ton of promise early in his career. It seems everyone around South Bend is ready for a massive breakout in 2021. That is until Tyree met the Heavy Blue Pointy Arm Fumble Spear.

Lance Taylor shows no mercy (and tremendous footwork) in poking this ball loose. As per the rules of the Heavy Blue Pointy Arm Fumble Spear we will be without Tyree in the first half against Florida State. Fumbling is never acceptable, even in practice.

#4 Coming Into Focus

Can you beat field-level cameras, though? You want to talk about access, baby! On this particular snap we were treated to another shaky zoomed in look at the offensive line. After a second, the ball appears to be snapped and through a few glimpses we can see quarterback Jack Coan in the pocket shuffling backwards.

But, there’s pressure! Coan escapes the pocket and starts to roll to his right to buy time when the official on the field has to move with the play in order to make the best call possible. Love the refs!

#5 This is Something That Happened

Sometimes things don’t run so smoothly during spring practice. Occasionally, what we get to see is a pure mad scramble. So it happens on this hectic snap where Avery Davis appears to catch the ball but is stripped by Clarence Lewis. No catch? Fumble?

Who can say? Who can even track the ball? Or which side recovered if it was a fumble? Also, did Lawrence Keys know the ball wasn’t going to him because he’s stopping just as the ball arrives to Davis.

#6 No. 1 Rule of Spring

As many know, Polynesians have magical football powers. We cannot understand them and it is difficult to control them if you try. This can be a problem during practice. In 2021, the number 1 rule for spring is don’t touch Michael Mayer. Just don’t do it, please.

Aaaand, Marist Liufau has sent Mayer flying after a catch. Come on!

#7 Smooth Catch

The punt return game is something to watch this off-season as Lawrence Keys lost the job last year and Notre Dame inserted walk-on Matt Salerno as a steadying force. But, will they look for something more explosive this season?

Here’s true freshman Lorenzo Styles attempting to haul in a punt looking like he’s never caught the ball this way in his life. Tempting to cross him off the list…

#8 Peisman Practice

They say a failure to prepare is preparing to fail. You take things you know can happen during a game and you practice them repeatedly to get as close to perfection as possible. Here, 5th-year senior guard Dillan Gibbons is working on his scoop-n-score in the event of a fumble:

I don’t hate the left-handed placement but he stops his feet from moving while at the same time bringing his right hand over for full ball protection. It’s tough for the bigger guys but the best Peisman practice is to do a quick two-handed scoop with as little feet stopping as possible.

#9 We Already Told You the Rule

How many times do I have to tell you about the most important rule of spring!?? We have another shot of play during practice and as you’d expect Michael Mayer makes a nice play down the sideline before being angled out of bounds. Good, no one tried to tackle him.

Then, out of nowhere some guy on the sidelines decides to try and clothesline our dear All-American boy. Guys, come on! Leave him alone!

#10 Dual-Threat Quarterback

Sometimes I sit up at night wondering how much the Irish will miss Ian Book’s running ability and 87 runs accounting for a 1st down over his career. It could be a serious problem and major adjustment period for the offense in 2021. However, when you look at this perhaps my concerns are overblown:

You can practically hear the “err, err, err” of Jack Coan’s feet trying to change direction like wide tires on hot pavement. If you squint this actually looks like someone from the fantasy camp and not a scholarship quarterback. Liufau attacks the play like he’s defending one of the coach’s sons on the field.

Go Irish!